The inspiring vision of an AIDS-free generation—as powerfully articulated by President Obama in his 2013 State of the Union address—took a leap forward in the developing nation of Malawi recently, where CDC supported the implementation of an innovative new approach to eliminate mother-to-child HIV transmission. CDC is a key partner in the U.S. President’s Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has saved millions of lives in the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.

The new approach, called Option B+, offers all HIV-positive pregnant or breastfeeding women lifesaving antiretroviral treatment (ART) for their entire lives. Option B+ simplifies the ART regimen to one pill once a day making it much easier for the patient to take and far easier to implement.

Not only does this approach help to ensure mother-to-child transmission is reduced to less than 5 percent for all future pregnancies but it also maintains the mother’s health, reduces HIV transmission to uninfected sexual partners, and prevents all of her children from becoming orphaned. Simplifying treatment has had significant impact. One year after implementation of this approach, the number of HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women on ART increased by more than 700 percent.

All CDC global HIV/AIDS activities are implemented by the Division of Global HIV/AIDS, CDC Center for Global Health, as part of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

factsheet-optionb+6-6-2013.pdf

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection